Seek Care now if You Have:

• Intense burning or stinging sensation
• Gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Stringy mucus around the eyes
• Difficulty with night driving due to glare and halos
• Contact lens intolerance, making wear uncomfortable or impossible
• Morning eye irritation, often due to nighttime dryness
• Blurred or fluctuating vision throughout the day
• Light sensitivity
• Eye fatigue

Understanding Severe Dry Eye

What it is:

Dry eye is a chronic condition that occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, inflammation, vision disturbances, and reduced quality of life. It exists on a spectrum from mild discomfort to severe ocular surface disease. San Diego’s dry climate, Santa Ana winds, and high screen-time lifestyles contribute to its high prevalence in the region.

When to Seek Care:

ou should seek immediate care if you experience severe eye pain or burning that disrupts daily activities, significant light sensitivity, inability to open your eyes due to dryness and irritation, marked vision changes or difficulty focusing, intense burning sensation that does not improve with artificial tears, or excessive tearing.

How We Help:

Dr. Said will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause and severity of your dry eye. This includes tear film evaluation, meibomian gland examination, corneal surface assessment, and tear production testing. Advanced tests like tear osmolarity or meibography may be used. Treatment is tailored and can range from immediate relief measures like lubricating drops and ointments to long-term strategies including prescription medications (e.g., Meibo™, Tyrvaya™, Restasis®, Xiidra®), punctal plugs, lifestyle modifications, and advanced options like autologous serum eye drops for severe cases.